2014 Laguna Beach Music Festival

The 2014 Laguna Beach Music Festival pushes outward from classical chamber music to explore the indie-classical and post-genre worlds where classical art song meets the singer-songwriter tradition and contemporary music draws from the pop music vernacular. 

11th annual Laguna Beach Music Festival February 5-10, 2013

Co-presented by Laguna Beach Live! and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County

 this five day festival will feature music from Argentina, Brazil, Peru and beyond, as they explore the sounds of South America.  Featured guest artists are pianist-composer Pablo Ziegler, formerly of the great Astor Piazzolla’s tango ensemble, and bandoneónist Hector del Curto, also heir to the tango masters who elevated dance hall music to concert hall repertoire.  Joining are guest artists from various South American musical traditions, for a lively and colorful musical adventure. 
As always, the Festival features emerging artists on the cusp of greatness: this year, the Colburn Conservatory presents top-flight students and their mentors – along with the return of the award-winning Calidore Quartet – in an evening of chamber music from South America’s rich classical tradition.

There are a variety of concerts and events to choose from all around Laguna Beach.

For Tickets 

Also follow the festivities on Facebook and Twitter.

Music in Laguna

Laguna Beach Live is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the top talent in  classical, jazz, chamber music  to Laguna Beach. Throughout the year a variety of concerts are hosted in town that attract visitors from all over the state and country.

The signature event is the week long festival that just wrapped up last month, The Laguna Beach Music Festival. This year was the 10^th anniversary of the festival and it was spectacular. Edgar Meyer, Sam Hawood, The Calder Quartet, The Calidore Quartet and Joshua Bell were just some of the featured artists. The festival continues to bring music lovers of all ages together in  Laguna Beach. The entire week the town is buzzing with talk of all the artists and what spectacular new music can be heard. Beyond the professionals that are featured, local musicians also play at Hotel Laguna, roundtable discussions artists are open to the public, and even a fundraiser for future music festivals featuring one of a kind painted  “artful violins”.

Enjoy music throughout the rest of the year with events like Gospel Brunch on March 11th, Blues at the Beach on June 9th and Bluegrass and BBQ  on September 16^th.

Enjoy Jazz Wednesdays which happen in the Winter and Summer months at Hotel Laguna. It is an intimate atmosphere where you can enjoy some to the top jazz musicians from the surrounding Los Angeles area. First Sundays is a FREE series showcasing chamber music at the Laguna College of Art + Design.

Be sure to visit and attend one of the concerts hosted by Laguna Beach Live for you will surely be captivated by the beauty of the music. We are lucky to have such a dedicated organization in Laguna Beach that brings the culture of music to our town!

By Anne-Marie S.

The Perfect End to Summer…

It was one of those summer evenings in Laguna Beach that make you forget about all of the worries in life. It was the perfect night to head to Jazz Wednesdays at Hotel Laguna. Jazz Wednesdays are put on by Laguna Beach Live, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing excellent music to the Laguna Beach community.

Jazz Wednesdays are held June through September at the historic Hotel Laguna’s Rose Garden. Surrounded by blooming rose bushes and the ocean breeze, you won’t find a better place in Southern California to enjoy an evening jazz concert. This evening, the very talented Sal Cracchiolo and Melanie Jackson Quartet  played the sounds of Latin Jazz. As I looked around I saw everyone grooving to the music. Toes were tapping and heads nodding to the beat. Melanie Jackson’s voice was incredible. I was amazed at how she brought the emotion of the music alive through her voice. And I don’t think you can find a better Latin Jazz trumpet player than Sal Cracchiolo. As the sun slowly set and the music filled the air, I took a deep breath and knew that this possibly could be the perfect way to end the summer.

Laguna Beach Live holds a variety of concerts throughout the year. In addition to Jazz Wednesdays, they host First Sundays (October-May), a free outdoor concert at Laguna College of Art + Design. They also feature Big Band concerts, and an annual music festival presented in conjunction with the Philharmonic Society.  

Upcoming Events:

Semana Flamenka: Fiesta Laguna
Happening on September 21 in the Hotel Laguna Rose Garden, this promises to be a magical evening of flamenco featuring selected artists from the Semana Flamenka ensembles, as well as other artists from around California. This event is co-presented by the Barclay. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended due to the limited capacity of the venue. Tickets are $10 in advanced and $15 at the door. Contact Irvine Barclay Theatre at 949.854-4646., ext 1 or email at tickets@thebarclay.org

Billy Childs Ensemble & Calder Quartet                                                                         Happening on October 1 at the Laguna Beach Artists’ Theater. Billy Childs is a Grammy award-winning jazz musician who brings a powerful combination of jazz and classical style ensembles. Tickets are $25-35 for adults and $15 for students. VIP tickets are available for $50 and include a meet and greet with the artist.

The 10^th Anniversary of Laguna Beach Music Festival 

A weeklong music festival, February 6-12, 2012. This festival includes performances by Joshua Bell, the Calder Quartet, Edger Mayer and many more! Buy your advanced tickets now! 

By Anne-Marie S.

Laguna Beach Music Festival

Another artistic expression of this great art colony is the Laguna Beach Musical Festival. The 9^th annual Festival is going on now thru the 13^th of February.  The festival is a collaboration between Laguna Beach Live! and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County . Together they work to bring prominent and promising musicians to Laguna Beach. This year the festival features guest artistic director, Brooklyn Rider; a genre-defying string quartet.

I had the chance to hear Brooklyn Rider play with Kojiro Umezaki, a flute player, last night at the Laguna Playhouse . The show was appropriately titled “New World.” Brooklyn Rider is well known for breaking the barriers of the classical genre by incorporating a taste of world music and sounds. Umezaki grew up in Tokyo studying the western flute and then moved to studying the shakuhachi, a Japanese end-blown bamboo flute. The instrument was first introduced in 7^th century Japan and was used to create music for Zen Buddhist meditation. I could sense the calming spirit of the instrument as he played. Sometimes haunting but always soothing and pure. Mixed with the expressive melodies of Brooklyn Rider it was a feast for the ears, mind, and soul.

There are several shows left for the Laguna Beach Music Festival. Be sure to treat yourself to one of these fantastic performances.

For tickets and information click HERE. 

By Anne-Marie S.

It's All About The Music

Playing at the Artists’ Theater and hosted by Laguna Beach Live, The John Jorgenson Quintet  played a night of energetic and toe-tapping music. There was no fuss when the Quintet took the stage to play, for these musicians made it clear that music was at the center. Each song could not easily fit into a box of a specific genre, rather they were influenced by many…blending into strong Jazz rhythms where the guitar ruled. The music took over the audience as each note floated into the air where nothing existed but melody, rhythm, chord and note.

The non-profit, Laguna Beach Live brought the John Jorgenson Quintet to our town. They offer a variety of musical experiences for residents and visitors of Laguna Beach.

Free concerts on First Sundays Enjoy these free afternoon concerts at the Laguna College of Art + Design. On February 6, enjoy the Colburn School, Conservatory of Music Quartet.

Jazz Wednesdays Winter Series  hosted at Hotel Laguna for a $10 cover charge.  Jazz Wednesdays are happening now through April 20^th.

Laguna Beach Music Festival 

The 9^th annual week-long festival is taking place February 7-13 and promises to be superb. Featured musicians include Brooklyn Rider, Kayhan Kalhor, and Kojiro Umezaki. You can purchase your tickets now HERE.

By Anne-Marie S.

Swenson Fine Art, Laguna Beach

Located: 460 So. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach

Conveniently located in downtown Laguna Beach on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) Swenson Fine Art focuses on modern art. At Swenson you will find a contemporary art space filled with work that is diverse and interesting. From 3-dimensional pieces that include studio glass, bronze and ceramics to 2-dimensional art.

Looking in

Malott & Rae

Kazandjian, 'Spiral in Five Movements'

Owner and curator Laurie Swenson has lived and breathed the art business for over 22 years. From her travels around the globe, she found inspiration, harnessed it and has brought together modern works that both the novice collector and the avid art lover can enjoy.

The gallery is also one you want to be sure to visit on the monthly First Thursday’s Art Walk . There is always something happening on these nights as art patrons hit the streets of Laguna from 6:00-9:00pm. It may be a featured artist, a special exhibit of classic works, live music or just browsing with some champagne. This month, Swenson Fine Art is displaying one of the “Artful Violins” as part of an online action in support of Laguna Beach Live and their music education programs. You can view the violin by artists Malotee & Rae, now through Feb 6, 2011.

By Anne-Marie S.